Adaptable or convertible cover or tarpaulin.



W. B. ROBESON. ADAPTABLE 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULQN. APPLICATIONFILED NOV. 8, I915. 1,238,340. Patented Aug. 28,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

-w. B. ROBESON. ADAPTABL'E 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULIN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. Q. 1915. 1,238.340. Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W; B. ROBESON ADAPTABLE 0R CONVERTIBLE COVER 0R TARPAULIN.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8. I915.

Patented Aug. 28, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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LLIA BEN AMIN ROB SQ 01 POR HURON, M CHIGAN.

ADAPTAIBLE OR CONVERTIBLE COVER OR TARPAULIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedAng. as, 1917.

Application filed November 8, 1915. Serial No. 60,244.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM'BENJAMIN RoensoN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Port Huron, county of St. Clair, and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adaptableor Convertible Covers or Tarpaulins; and I do declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thecharacters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in covers of the tarpaulin orwaterproof type, my object being to provide a cover of such constructionthat it shall be adapted'for a considerable number of uses, andparticularly for uses on the battle field and in other places bysoldiers or others engaged in warfare. The invention is, of course, ofgen eral application under all circumstances where covers of thecharacter indicated are needed, but at the present time the widest fieldfor its use isin those countries which are engaged in war.

Generally speaking the device consists of a waterproof cover which shallbe adapted for use as a tent, as a protection fora person while lyingdown or sleeping upon the ground, or even when in an upright positionand also for use as a cover for horses or other animals.

The invention consists generally speaking of a piece of waterproofmaterial having triangular projections at its opposite sides and ends,whereby it is well adapted for use in any of the aforesaid relations,and by virtue of which it is readily convertible or adaptable to any oneof these uses.

The standard or preferable size of the cover so far as its body portionis concerned, is seven feet in length by siX feet in width. The area ofthe triangular pieces, may vary as circumstances may require.

Having briefly outlined the invention, as well as the function it isintended to sub serve. I will proceed to describe the same in detail,reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in which isillustrated an embodiment thereof. In this drawing,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved cover, shown spreadout or inits extended or flat position.

Fig. 2 shows the cover as appliedor employed for use as a tent, shown ona larger scale.

F ig; 3 shows the same device used as a sleeping-cover or a cover for aperson when lying upon the ground.-

Fig. 4f shows the same device for use as a cover for horses- The samereference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate the body of my improved cover whichis'rectangular in shape. Formed integral with or attachedto this bodyportionare triangular areas 6 ar ranged on opposite sides and similarlyshaped areas 7 arranged'at the opposite ends ofthe body of thestructure. The triangular pieces 6 are provided with gromets or metalreinforced perforations v8 at their "outer apices or at each apexfarthest from the body of the device when the latter is in the fiatposition or that shown in Fig. 1. As illustratedin the drawing there aretwo of these triangular areas 7 at each end of the device, and eachof'these has a 'gromet 9 at its outer apex or portion farthest removedfrom the body of-thevdevice. I have also illustrated a gromet 10 at eachcorner of the body of-the device though these may be omitted if desired.

Where the device is employed as a tent (see Fig. 2), two upright poles12 may be employed, their upper extremities engaging the body of thedevice at points 14 at the opposite ends of a line 13 passed centrallythrough the body of the device. These poles 12 are held in place by arope 16 which is looped or coiled around the upper extremities of thepoles, the rope extending between the poles as shown at 17, its oppositeextremities being secured by stakes 18 which are driven into the groundand to which the rope extremities are tied. The cover is further securedto the ground by means of corner stakes 19 with which cords 20 areconnected, the said cords being passed through the gromets 10 at thecorners of the body of the device. The cover is further anchored to theground by means of two additional stakes 21 (one only being shown) whichare connected with the cover by means of cords 22 passed through thegromets 8 with which the triangular areas 6 are provided. The ends ofthe tent are closed by the employment of the end areas 7, these twoareas at each end of the tent being con nected by means of'cords 15passed through their gromets 9.

It will thusbe noted that when the device is employed as a tent, thetriangular areas 7 perform an important function in closing the tent atthe ends, while the side areas 6 are also advantageous in anchoring thecover at the opposite sides of the tent, and between the corneranchoring stakes 19.

When employed as a cover or sleeping bag for a person, the two sideareas 6 are connected by means of a cord 23 passed through the gromets 8and tied in a suitable knot; while the corners 10 at one end of thecover are also connected by a cord 24 which is passed through thegromets 10 and suitably tied. If desired, the body of the re cliningperson may be completely covered, by connecting the two end areas 7 atboth ends of the device, the two corners at the opposite ends and theside areas 6 byusing strings or cords in connection with the gromets ofthe connected parts. lVhile this particular use is not illustrated inthe drawing, the cover will be found exceedingly advantageous when soused, for protecting wounded on the battle field, since it will affordample protection from the elements and at the same time will permitsufiicient circulation of air for breathing purposes.

When employed as a cover for horses or other quadrupeds (see Fig. 4:)the two areas 7 at the opposite ends of the device, are connected at thefront and rear bypassing cords through the gromets 9 and tying them asheretofore explained; and as shown at 25 and 26 in Fig. 4:; while theside areas 6 may be connected as shown at 27 in the same figure by meansof a cord passed through the respective gromets with which the saidareas are equipped.

From the foregoing description it is believed the use of my improveddevice will be readily understood without further detailed explanation.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim is,-

1. A convertible tarpaulin composed of waterproof flexible material andcomprising a body part of rectangular shape one of whose dimensions isgreater than the other, the said body part having gromets in each cornerthe ends of the body part being each provided with two triangular partsand each of the sides with a single triangular part.

2. A device of the class described co1nposed of flexible waterproofmaterial and comprising a body part of rectangular shape, its oppositeends being each provided with two triangular flaps which taken to-,gether extend completely thereacross, the opposite sides of the bodypart being each provided with a centrally located triangular flap.

3. A convertible cover composed of flexible waterproof material andcomprising a rectangular body part of greater length than width, each ofits ends being equipped with two triangular flaps and its sides eachequipped with a single triangular flap, all of the triangular areasbeing grometed to facilitate the manipulation of the device when in use.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM BENJAMIN ROBESON.

Witnesses:

SHIRLEY STEWART, CHESTER L. BENEDICT.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

